Zacks Research Downgrades Western Union (NYSE:WU) to Strong Sell

Western Union (NYSE:WU) was downgraded by Zacks Research from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday,Zacks.com reports.

WU has been the topic of a number of other reports. Morgan Stanley decreased their price objective on Western Union from $7.00 to $6.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, July 31st. Cantor Fitzgerald cut their target price on Western Union from $8.00 to $7.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a research note on Monday. Wolfe Research restated an “underperform” rating and issued a $8.00 price objective on shares of Western Union in a report on Friday, July 31st. Monness Crespi & Hardt reaffirmed a “sell” rating and issued a $6.00 price objective on shares of Western Union in a research note on Friday, July 31st. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada decreased their target price on shares of Western Union from $9.00 to $8.00 and set a “sector perform” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, July 31st. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and seven have assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Western Union presently has a consensus rating of “Strong Sell” and an average price target of $7.55.

Western Union Stock Performance

NYSE WU opened at $7.23 on Tuesday. Western Union has a 52-week low of $6.27 and a 52-week high of $10.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.95, a quick ratio of 1.12 and a current ratio of 1.12. The company has a market capitalization of $2.26 billion, a P/E ratio of 5.88, a P/E/G ratio of 1.26 and a beta of 0.47. The company has a fifty day moving average of $7.72 and a 200-day moving average of $8.69.

Western Union (NYSE:WU) last released its earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The credit services provider reported $0.31 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.42 by ($0.11). Western Union had a net margin of 9.79% and a return on equity of 50.89%. The firm had revenue of $1.01 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.02 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.37 EPS. The firm’s revenue was down 1.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Western Union has set its FY 2026 guidance at 1.250-1.350 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Western Union will post 1.29 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Western Union

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in WU. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB increased its position in Western Union by 606.7% during the 3rd quarter. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB now owns 3,265 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 2,803 shares during the period. Ascentis Independent Advisors purchased a new position in shares of Western Union in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Salomon & Ludwin LLC grew its stake in Western Union by 1,546.5% in the fourth quarter. Salomon & Ludwin LLC now owns 3,326 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 3,124 shares during the period. Fifth Third Bancorp lifted its position in Western Union by 67.0% during the fourth quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 3,331 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 1,336 shares during the period. Finally, Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd grew its position in shares of Western Union by 179.6% in the 4th quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 3,341 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 2,146 shares during the period. 91.81% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Western Union Company Profile

Western Union Company (NYSE: WU) is a global leader in cross-border, cross-currency money movement and payments. The company enables individuals and businesses to send and receive money through a variety of channels, including its vast agent network, online platforms, and mobile applications. Core services include person-to-person money transfers, business-to-business cross-border payments, bill payment services and prepaid card programs.

Through its digital offerings, Western Union provides customers with the ability to initiate transfers via its website and mobile app, as well as track transactions in real time.